The fans at Melbourne Park and around the world should be in for an entertaining day of tennis on Monday with 28 matches on the schedule at the Australian Open. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Iga Swiatek vs Yuan Yue, Amanda Anisimova vs Simona Waltert, Mirra Andreeva vs Donna Vekic, Coco Cauff vs Kamilla Rakhimova, Barbora Krejcikova vs Diana Shnaider, and Victoria Mboko vs Emerson Jones. But who will advance?
Australian Open Day 2 Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Anastasia Zakharova
Zain: Anastasia Zakharova is a solid player, but Jessica Pegula is as reliable a counterpuncher as anyone on tour. The American should be able to progress through.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Jordan: Pegula will hope that her terrible performance against Marta Kostyuk was an aberration. The American’s usually excellent level on hard courts means it probably was. She is unlikely to lose in the opening round of a Grand Slam on her favourite surface.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Nurein: Pegula was a consistent force in early rounds at the Majors, but these days you are not quite sure. That said, I don’t see Zakharova sustaining the level needed to break Pegula’s rhythm.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Storm Hunter vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Zain: While Jessica Bouzas Maneiro is the overall better player currently, on this surface and against a local player in Storm Hunter, she might be in line for an early exit.
Prediction: Hunter in 3
Jordan: I like Bouzas Maneiro’s chances here. She is improving slowly and steadily, and will not be intimidated by facing an opponent in their home country. She also defeated Coco Gauff already this season, which should give her plenty of confidence.
Prediction: Bouzas Maneiro in 2
Nurein: Bouzas Maneiro recorded the biggest win of her career at the United Cup, but quickly lost unexpectedly in her next tournament to Tayla Gibson. That kind of fluctuating form given Storm Hunter hope and the Australian can count on home support to cross the finish the line.
Prediction: Hunter in 3
Alycia Parks vs Alexandra Eala
Zain: Although Alycia Parks remains a truly exciting player on tour, her inability to win matches consistently might very well strike again, especially against a consistently improving youngster in Alexandra Eala.
Prediction: Eala in 2
Jordan: This could be one of the most entertaining opening round matches. Paris’s huge serve and ultra aggression contrasts with Eala’s excellent return and athleticism. Over three sets, I trust the Filipina more to produce more consistently in important moments.
Prediction: Eala in 3
Nurein: A good serving day makes Parks almost unplayable on hard courts. Her game can define matches, which basically means if she is not playing well enough, errors creep into her game and a good counterpuncher like Eala can frustrate her.
Prediction: Eala in 3
Magdalena Frech vs Veronika Erjavec
Zain: Despite potential physical issues, on a hard court Magdalena Frech is still the more favourable pick, as she has bigger weapons than Veronika Erjavec on both wings.
Prediction: Frech in 2
Jordan: Frech has played well at the Australian Open before. The conditions suit the Czech’s game, and I expect her to grind through this challenge. Expect Erjavec to have her moments, though.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Nurein: The extent of Frech’s recent injury is unclear. But it’s becoming increasingly common before Grand Slams with many top players prioritizing their health for a big tournament. So, I’m not reading too much into her withdrawal in Hobart because she played three outstanding matches before that.
Prediction: Frech in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports